On port days, set your phone to ship time (not local time), bring $50-100 cash per person, photograph your ship and pier number before disembarking, eat breakfast on board, and plan to be back at the gangway at least 30-60 minutes before all-aboard. Stick to these basics and your first shore excursion will go smoothly.
Your first cruise shore excursion is the moment your vacation becomes unforgettable — but it is also the moment a small mistake (wrong time zone, missing cash, forgotten ID) can ruin the day or worse, leave you stranded ashore. This guide covers exactly what to do on port day so your first shore experience goes smoothly.
This article focuses on execution on port day. For when to book and where to book, see our companion guides linked at the end.
Before You Step Off the Ship: 5-Point Checklist
Run through this 5-point checklist the night before every port day:
- Confirm all-aboard time (posted by the gangway and on your cabin TV)
- Set your phone to ship time — NOT local time at the port
- Photograph your ship's name, pier number, and your lifeboat station
- Pack your ship card, passport copy, sunscreen, water bottle, and cash
- Eat breakfast on board — port-day breakfast is more expensive and slower
Doing this the night before frees up the morning so you can disembark with the first wave of guests and maximize your time ashore.
7 Essential Port Day Tips
- Set your phone to ship time, not local time. Cruise lines run on "ship time," which often differs from the local time at port by 1-2 hours. Always check the daily program for ship time. Confusing local time with ship time is the #1 reason cruisers miss the ship.
- Bring more cash than you think you need. Plan $50-100 USD per person per port for tips, taxis, drinks, and souvenirs. Many port vendors do not accept cards, and pier ATMs sometimes run out or have daily withdrawal limits.
- Photograph your ship, pier, and life-station before leaving. When five cruise ships are docked together, they look identical from a distance. A photo also helps if you take a taxi back from far away and need to show the driver where to go.
- Know exactly when all-aboard is. All-aboard is typically 30 minutes before the ship leaves. If the ship leaves at 5 p.m., all-aboard is 4:30 p.m. Plan to be at the pier by 4 p.m. to give yourself a 30-minute buffer.
- Eat breakfast on board, save lunch for shore. Port breakfast is a waste of money and time when the buffet is free. Port lunch is part of the cultural experience and worth seeking out.
- Pack a port-day kit. A daypack with: water bottle, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, phone charger or power bank, passport photocopy, ship card, small bills, and motion sickness meds.
- Have a plan if you are running late. If you cannot make it back: call the port agent number listed on your daily program, get to the next port at your own expense, and save all receipts (some travel insurance will reimburse).
Tipping Etiquette in Port
Tipping norms vary by destination, but these are reasonable defaults:
| Service | Recommended Tip |
|---|---|
| Tour guide (half-day) | $5-10 per person |
| Tour guide (full-day) | $15-20 per person |
| Driver / shuttle | $3-5 per person |
| Activity staff (snorkel, dive) | $2-5 per person |
| Photographers (per shot bought) | $1-2 |
| Restaurant server | 15-20% (check if gratuity is auto-added) |
| Beach vendor / massage | 15-20% |
USD is widely accepted for tips in Caribbean, Bahamian, Mexican, and many Mediterranean ports. Small bills ($1-$5) make tipping much easier — change is rarely offered for larger denominations.
Money and Currency on Port Days
Where USD is widely accepted
- Bahamas, US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico (USD is the official currency)
- Most Caribbean ports (Cozumel, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Aruba)
- Bermuda
- Some Central American ports for tourist transactions
Where you should use local currency
- European ports — use Euro / GBP / NOK / etc. for better rates
- South American ports — local currency is required at many vendors
- Asian ports — local currency strongly preferred
- Local markets and small vendors anywhere — vendors mark up USD prices
Smart money tips
- Use ATMs at the pier or major hotels (safer than downtown machines)
- Notify your card company you are traveling before the cruise
- Bring a no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card for larger purchases
- Avoid currency exchange booths on the pier — rates are typically 5-10% worse than ATMs
What to Do If You Are Late Returning
If you realize you are going to be late, act fast and follow this sequence:
- Call the port agent. The port agent number is on your daily program. They coordinate with the ship and can advocate for a brief wait if you are minutes away.
- Call the cruise line's emergency line. Also listed on the daily program. They have authority the port agent does not.
- Get to the gangway by any means. Take any available taxi, ride share, or motorbike. Do not wait for a "cheaper" option.
- If you miss the ship, go to the next port. Use flight aggregators (Skyscanner, Google Flights) to book the fastest connection. The cruise line will hold your luggage on board.
- Save every receipt. Travel insurance with "missed port" or "missed connection" coverage often reimburses these costs.
- Stay calm and document. Take photos of your boarding pass, the empty pier, and any signage. Insurance claims need documentation.
What Happens If a Port Is Skipped?
Captains skip ports for weather, sea conditions, port closures, or mechanical issues. When this happens:
- All shore excursions booked through the cruise line are refunded automatically to your shipboard account
- Independent excursions require you to contact the operator directly — most refund if you cancel 24+ hours in advance, but missed-port refunds vary
- The ship typically substitutes a sea day or visits an alternate port
- Travel insurance with "missed port" coverage may pay a per-day benefit ($100-300) for the skipped port
If a port is skipped while you are already ashore (rare but possible — usually due to a sudden weather shift), the ship will signal a return-to-ship call. Follow it immediately.
Common First-Timer Mistakes
- Walking off the ship without your ship card — you cannot get back on without it
- Using local time instead of ship time — the #1 cause of missed ships
- Forgetting sunscreen — most tropical ports cause sunburn within 30 minutes
- Buying everything at the first vendor — prices drop 30-50% at the second or third stall
- Booking back-to-back exhausting excursions — leave one port for a relaxation day
- Drinking too much before the return — taxi drivers and port officials notice
- Leaving the passport on the ship in countries where you legally must carry it (some South American and Asian ports)
- Ignoring the daily program — it has critical information about ship time, all-aboard, and port-specific warnings
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What time is all-aboard?
All-aboard is typically 30 minutes before the ship's scheduled departure time. Check your daily program — it is printed on every page and announced over the PA before the ship leaves.
2. Will the ship wait for me?
Only if your excursion was booked through the cruise line. The captain will not wait for individuals on independent tours, even if you are minutes away.
3. What if I miss the ship?
Contact the port agent (number on your daily program), then get to the next port at your own expense. The cruise line will hold your luggage and re-board you there.
4. Do I need my passport in port?
Usually no — your ship card and a passport photocopy are enough for most Caribbean and Mediterranean ports. Bring the original only when required (most South American and Asian ports require the actual passport).
5. How much cash should I bring per port?
$50-100 USD per person is a reasonable baseline for a half-day in port. Bring more for shopping ports (Cozumel, St. Thomas, Marrakech) and ports with poor card acceptance.
6. Can I drink the local water?
Stick to bottled water in Caribbean and Latin American ports, and in most Asian ports. Tap water is safe in most European and North American ports.
7. What if I get seasick during a port tender?
Take motion sickness medication 30 minutes before tendering. Sit in the middle of the tender boat, look at the horizon, and avoid reading or looking down.
8. Can I buy from local vendors on the pier?
Yes — but negotiate. Pier vendors typically open at 30-50% above the price they will accept. The same item at a downtown shop or local market will be cheaper still.
Final Word
Most first-time cruisers worry about the wrong things on port day — they obsess over what to wear, then forget the basics like ship time, cash, and all-aboard. Get the basics right and your shore excursions will be the highlight of the entire cruise.
Two things matter above all else: know what time it is on the ship, and be back at the gangway with time to spare. Everything else is detail.
